Multiple tornadoes wreaked havoc in Iowa, resulting in loss of life in Greenfield and posing a threat across a wide range from Texas to Vermont. On Tuesday evening, a devastating tornado wreaked havoc on Greenfield, a small city located approximately 50 miles southwest of Des Moines.
Iowa State Patrol spokesperson Sgt. Alex Dinkla has confirmed that there have been multiple fatalities and injuries, although specific details were not provided. The devastation in Greenfield is extensive, with houses reduced to rubble, vehicles flipped over, and trees torn from the ground.
Clel Baudler, a former Iowa state representative, painted a grim picture of the scene, stating that there was very little remaining. CNN affiliate KCCI’s footage reveals a community engulfed in debris.
Valerie Warrior, a resident of Greenfield, recounted her harrowing encounter while seeking refuge in her basement. “I was in the boiler room and suddenly I heard the storm roaring like a train,” she recounted. Despite the devastation, Warrior remains optimistic, confident that the community will come together to support one another during this crisis.
On Tuesday, Iowa experienced a significant number of tornadoes, resulting in power outages, structural damage, and flooding throughout the area. This year has already witnessed an astonishing number of over 800 tornadoes, solidifying its position as one of the most active years on record.
According to PowerOutage.us, over 90,000 homes and businesses in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois were left without power by Wednesday morning. Additional outages are anticipated as the storms progress towards the east.
Wednesday’s storms are expected to be slightly less intense compared to Tuesday’s, but there is still a possibility of damaging winds, hail, and additional tornadoes across a 1,500-mile stretch from Texas to western Vermont.
Severe thunderstorms started early Wednesday in Oklahoma, and additional storms are anticipated to form and strengthen in the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley as the day progresses.